Women In International Security

Women In International Security Since the founding of WIIS in 1987, women have advanced to increasingly important roles in the field of international security.

Women In International Security (WIIS) is the only global network actively advancing women’s leadership, at all stages of their careers, in the international peace and security field. There are new and expanding opportunities for women’s participation globally, as women are present in greater numbers in foreign and defense affairs and now occupy important positions in governments around the world.

In recent years, the international community has recognized the important contributions of women to peace and security, and has made commitments to include women in peace and security decision-making at all levels. But equal representation of women is not yet a reality, especially at senior levels of policy making. The number of women obtaining degrees in international affairs-related programs is increasing, and in many organizations that work on peace and security issues, women make up almost half of the entry level professional workforce. Yet, in the majority of security policy making institutions, women comprise less than 30 percent of senior leadership positions. Entry into the profession is not necessarily translating into advancement into leadership positions in key peace and security institutions. The lack of female representation in decision-making positions means that the international community is missing the diversity of expertise and perspectives that are desperately needed in this field. WIIS recognizes that all women do not share the same opinions about how to address the world’s security problems. But women often share common experiences and challenges as women, and they often share common, valuable approaches to leadership roles. WIIS’ research demonstrates that women in these positions of authority often share consultative, inclusive, and collaborative leadership styles. The contributions that women have made and could potentially make to international peace and security are just beginning to be recognized. WIIS is working to ensure that recognition translates into leadership opportunities for women around the world.

🎉Sign up to be a WIIS member today, and enjoy 15% off our Young Professional membership tier! Access WIIS member resourc...
05/28/2026

🎉Sign up to be a WIIS member today, and enjoy 15% off our Young Professional membership tier! Access WIIS member resources, including:

- A curated jobs board
- Publishing opportunities
- Access to a global network of 15,000+ WIIS practitioners
- Mentorship programs
- Exclusive events

and more! Scan the QR code or access the link in our bio to learn more. The discount lasts until May 31st, so jumpstart your career and sign up today!🎓✨

🌐 Mark your calendars! Join WIIS and the Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein for a virtual conversation on "Pub...
05/27/2026

🌐 Mark your calendars! Join WIIS and the Embassy of the Principality of Liechtenstein for a virtual conversation on "Public–Private Partnerships and Building Public Trust in Financial, Technology, and Supply Chain Systems."

As global systems grow more interconnected, the collaboration between public institutions and private industry has never been more critical. Don't miss this important discussion!

📅 June 3, 2026
🕤 9:30–10:45AM EST

🔗 Register now at wiisglobal.org/events/ or scan the QR code in the flyer to secure your spot!

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! To celebrate, WIIS Global is offering a 15% discount on your first year of members...
05/22/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! To celebrate, WIIS Global is offering a 15% discount on your first year of membership. 🎓🎉

Know a graduate or interested in helping kickstart a young professional's career? Donate a WIIS membership today to gift access to WIIS member resources, a curated jobs board, exclusive events, mentorship opportunities, and more.

Take the first step today by visiting the link in our bio, and help support a future in international peace and security.

Today is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. 🌍 Culture is not a barrier, it's a bridge. D...
05/21/2026

Today is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. 🌍 Culture is not a barrier, it's a bridge. Diversity isn't just something to celebrate; it's something to protect. Investing in intercultural dialogue is essential to lasting peace, security, and a world where every voice, perspective, and story has a place at the table.

On May 12th, WIIS and the New Lines Institute co-hosted a virtual policy forum to launch our newly published policy brie...
05/19/2026

On May 12th, WIIS and the New Lines Institute co-hosted a virtual policy forum to launch our newly published policy brief, "Beyond 1325@25: Strategies to Advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in a Shifting Geopolitical and Security Landscape," co-authored by WIIS' Mahathi Ayyagari and New Lines' Kallie Mitchell.

The event was moderated by Mahathi Ayyagari, and speakers included Kallie Mitchell, WIIS President & CEO Dr. Lauren Van Metre, Women for Women International's Nisha Singh, Sasakawa Foundation's Shanti Shoji, and WPS Collective's Tazreen Hussain. Thank you to our speakers for such an engaging conversation!

The event, attended by over 70 people, leveraged the strategies of the policy brief to examine current geopolitical events, delve deeper into critical questions around WPS implementation, and make space for continued conversation and expert reflection around issues of gender, peace, and security. Don't forget to scan the QR code to read the full policy brief now!

WIIS celebrates the women who helped wire our world together. On World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, we...
05/17/2026

WIIS celebrates the women who helped wire our world together. On World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, we honor the engineers, innovators, and policy leaders whose work built the digital lifelines our communities depend on. As threats to our digital infrastructure grow, the need for women in security has never been greater. 💙

At WIIS, we know that women's health and international security are inseparable. This National Women's Health Week, swip...
05/15/2026

At WIIS, we know that women's health and international security are inseparable. This National Women's Health Week, swipe through to learn about two women who spent their careers proving exactly that. 👉

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